The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 78, July 1974 - April, 1975 Page: 491
562 p. : ill. (some col.), maps, ports. ; 23 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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Book Reviews
(p. iv), his work is an outstanding contribution not only to Mexican Ameri-
can studies but to the more general field of southwestern studies as well.
The modest price should make it doubly attractive.
University of Texas at Arlington SANDRA L. MYRES
Memories of Mexico: A History of the Last Ten Months of the Empire.
By S. Basch. Translated by Hugh McAden Oechler. (San Antonio:
Trinity University Press, 1973. Pp. xv+253. Map, index. $9.oo.)
The brief reign of Maximilian is little studied in Mexico, but continues
to attract attention in other countries. Much research has been published
and numerous romantic stories told. But this translation of Dr. Samuel
Basch's memoirs must be considered one of the most intimate books on the
subject.
Basch was Maximilian's personal physician during the last ten months of
the Empire. He attended the prince in Mexico City, in Orizaba when
Maximilian was considering leaving Mexico, and in Queretaro where the
Imperial forces were defeated and Maximilian executed. His account is
laced with detailed information that enlivens the events. He, of course,
disagrees with other published accounts of the Empire, contending, for ex-
ample, that the ultimate court martial was illegal and that Maximilian was
murdered, but his situation was unique and Maximilian undoubtedly in-
spired the young doctor to a prejudiced viewpoint.
While translator Hugh McAden Oechler has rendered a most readable
text, he has not supplied historical notes to allow the general reader to place
Basch's remarks in their proper perspective. Nevertheless, this book is com-
pelling reading for anyone interested in the Second Empire.
Trinity University Press has provided an attractive format at a reason-
able price in today's book market.
Amon Carter Museum of Western Art, Fort Worth RON TYLER
Pedro de la Torre. By John Tate Lanning. (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State
University, 1974. Pp. xiv+ 145. Illustrations, bibliography, appendix,
index. $7.50.)
From the vantage point of semi-retirement, John Tate Lanning, James
B. Duke Professor of History (Emeritus) at Duke University, states: "This
is not a book by a man too busy to write one, but a book that persuaded a
busy man to write it" (p. xi). Would that more books could be written with
such style and grace!
Using three sixteenth-century lawsuits, which customarily are as exciting491
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Texas State Historical Association. The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 78, July 1974 - April, 1975, periodical, 1974/1975; Austin, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth117149/m1/551/?rotate=270: accessed April 19, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting Texas State Historical Association.